TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[InvesmentBanker]

Does anyone know the Stephson Harwood application questions + word count? Further, if anyone has advice or tips specific to SH please share. @Jessica Booker

Last year it was:
1. Tell us about a time you exceeded expectations
2. Tell us about responsibilities you have taken outside work/study
3. Why SH?

 

[InvesmentBanker]

Last year it was:
1. Tell us about a time you exceeded expectations
2. Tell us about responsibilities you have taken outside work/study
3. Why SH?

250 words each.

 

[chirag12]

Hi @Jessica Booker,
I am worried that my A-levels are going to come in the way of me obtaining a training contract at a commercial law firm. I got a BCC and don't have proof or evidence of mitigating circumstances. I know that there are a lot of firms that have no A-level requirements but they still want to see consistency in my grades so I'm scared they would reject me even with a good written application. I am currently going into my third year with a high 2:1.

Do you have any advice for me?

 

[lawstudent0303]

has anyone completed the vi for A&O? what was your experience like and were you allowed to rerecord your answers? thanks in advance!

 

[ab01]

has anyone completed the vi for A&O? what was your experience like and were you allowed to rerecord your answers? thanks in advance!

When did you get invited?

 

[jnice]

Hi @Jessica Booker,
I am worried that my A-levels are going to come in the way of me obtaining a training contract at a commercial law firm. I got a BCC and don't have proof or evidence of mitigating circumstances. I know that there are a lot of firms that have no A-level requirements but they still want to see consistency in my grades so I'm scared they would reject me even with a good written application. I am currently going into my third year with a high 2:1.

Do you have any advice for me?

Hey! You absolutely have a chance so please do not discount yourself. I know someone who was able to secure TC at Linklaters with BBC at A-Level which is not far off from your A-Level grades.

 

[SS21]

Does anyone know if “All you need to know about the City” and “Know the City” are the same book?

Is the latter just an updated version?

 

[chirag12]

Hey! You absolutely have a chance so please do not discount yourself. I know someone who was able to secure TC at Linklaters with BBC at A-Level which is not far off from your A-Level grades.

Hey, thank you so much! That makes me so much more confident.

 

[EliteWhovian]

Heya, I wanted to confirm whether I understood the wording correctly:

> Eligible students will be in their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree. Students are paid £400 per week. We also accept applications from students who have already completed their degrees.
Does this mean a final year student can't apply? [For a VS with Covington]

 

[Jessica Booker]

Heya, I wanted to confirm whether I understood the wording correctly:

> Eligible students will be in their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree. Students are paid £400 per week. We also accept applications from students who have already completed their degrees.
Does this mean a final year student can't apply? [For a VS with Covington]

Seems a bit odd that they don’t allow final year law students to apply - I read this more that you can’t apply any earlier than the timeframes outlined for law and non-law students, but probably worthwhile checking with them if no one here can provide certainty.

 

[lawstudent0303]

hi! i'm looking to purchase WG practice tests. i used Assessment Day last year but my scores weren't the best. do you have recommendations on which provider ends up being the closest to the actual WGs?

 

[M0M007]

hi! i'm looking to purchase WG practice tests. i used Assessment Day last year but my scores weren't the best. do you have recommendations on which provider ends up being the closest to the actual WGs?

Wondering the same

 

[hannah04]

Finally got that much anticipated TC PFO from my dream firm after doing an SVS with them. Onwards and upwards and in the end what's meant to be will be!!!!💪

 

[aspiringcatsolicitor]

Finally got that much anticipated TC PFO from my dream firm after doing an SVS with them. Onwards and upwards and in the end what's meant to be will be!!!!💪

I'm sorry to hear this. I know you will find another firm that's right for you.

Do you know where things might have gone wrong? Or how you would have approached the VS differently?

 

[Samridhi Jain]

There are no written app questions.

They have been replaced with 2 VI Qs. You will have unlimited time to prepare the response and you have 2 mins to answer.

You also complete an SJT before the VI, which is untimed, but you must have a camera on when completing.

This is helpful to know. I had a question specific to the Indian A&O scheme. I'm not sure if they have discontinued the Indian clerkship that used to exist. Plus, do they sponsor visas and travel/acc costs? And if the Indian clerkship doesn't exist separately, are we allowed to apply under the UK scheme?

Plus, for the application - are we supposed to fill in the work exp/ personal details and give the SJT in one sitting? Or it can be done at our own pace?

Also, If someone could share the questions A&O has asked for the VI this time- that would be great! Or let me know if these are different for everybody. I wanted to know these in advance only because I'll be giving the SJT a little later. So, if these are same, I could prep in advance

 

[SR99]

Does anyone know if there is a deadline to complete the SJT and VI for A&O? There doesn't seem to be any deadline in the emails sent so I'm not sure if I can take my time to prep

 

[EliteWhovian]

Seems a bit odd that they don’t allow final year law students to apply - I read this more that you can’t apply any earlier than the timeframes outlined for law and non-law students, but probably worthwhile checking with them if no one here can provide certainty.

Thank you! It's definitely strange, especially since there seems to be different wording depending on where I look. I'll likely email them tomorrow

 

[F12M34L]

Does anyone know if there is a deadline to complete the SJT and VI for A&O? There doesn't seem to be any deadline in the emails sent so I'm not sure if I can take my time to prep

Also to add in: is it just SJT? Amberjack software always give you some verbal and numerical questions too.

 

[EliteWhovian]

Finally got that much anticipated TC PFO from my dream firm after doing an SVS with them. Onwards and upwards and in the end what's meant to be will be!!!!💪

Head up high, you got this for the next cycle! Onward and upward!

 

[EliteWhovian]

Heya, I wanted to confirm whether I understood the wording correctly:

> Eligible students will be in their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree. Students are paid £400 per week. We also accept applications from students who have already completed their degrees.
Does this mean a final year student can't apply? [For a VS with Covington]

Finalists can apply too It's everyone 'from' their penultimate year of a law degree and final year of a non-law degree